“Come in, Norma,” the parson motioned from his desk for Norma to enter his study. She followed his direction and at his further direction took her place on the sofa.
“It’s good to see you, Norma. How’s Sid?” Sid was her husband who did not attend the church but always welcomed the parson to their house.
“He’s well, parson. He’s doing fine. I can’t seem to get him to do anything around the house since that grandson was born,” she responded.
“What brings you to the church this afternoon?” the parson. Seeing Norma at church anytime other than the Sunday morning worship hour was a rarity.
“Well, to tell you the truth, my brothers and sisters asked me to come and talk with you.”
The parson digested this information. None of Norma’s brothers and sisters attended his church, or any church. All of them were considered a bit on the wild side. The parson cocked his head to the side, “Your brothers and sisters asked you to talk to me?”
“Yes, sir, they did. They want me to talk to you about Mama.”
Norma’s mama was a member of the church also. She was active and vibrant, contributed to the church financially to the best of her ability and volunteered for almost every activity. And she was ninety-two.
“What about her?” the parson asked.
“Mama likes to exercise a lot. She has gotten a membership at the new recreation center. And she got somebody to show her how to use the weights in that weight room. I mean, I know it’s those new fangled things where you pull the cables and all and you don’t lift the barbells, but she’s been going to the weight room three times a week. And we’re all a bit worried about her.”
“What are you worried about?” the parson asked.
“Parson, she walks to the recreation center when she goes. I mean that’s at least two, maybe two-and-a-half miles. Then she lifts those weights and walks home.”
“And why are you talking to me?”
“We had a family meeting and we voted that you should be the one to talk to her.”
“I should be the one to talk to her about what?”
“You should talk to her and get her to quit walking up there every day. And at her age she should stop lifting those weights.”
“You and your siblings voted for me to do this?”
“We did.”
“Did any of you consider that I ought to be present when you voted?”
“You’re her pastor; obviously you should be the one to talk to her.”
The parson leaned back in his chair. He thought a moment, weighing the need to be tactful against the emotions he was feeling. The emotions won.
“Norma, I’m looking at you and I’m picturing your brothers and sisters in my mind. And I’m picturing your mother walking to the recreation center and lifting those weights. Do you know what that picture leads me to say, Norma?”
“No, what?”
“It leads me to say your mother is an amazing woman. How many ninety-two year olds do you know that have that kind of outlook on life?”
“That’s not the point, parson.”
“Well, try this point on, Norma. Every one of your mother’s children is out-of-shape and overweight. So instead of coming to me to babysit your mother, why don’t you guys make a schedule and you walk with her to the recreation center. And while you’re there why don’t you all, as a family, lift some weights.”
Norma rose and walked to the door. She turned and said, “You don’t have to be so inconsiderate.”
“Apparently, I do, Norma. Apparently, I do.”
Graphic by subscription with Clip Art Dot Com
When my great-grandmother was 91, her kids made her give up raising chickens. When she was 93, they wouldn't let her mow the lawn. It didn't take long after that until she passed from this life - there was nothing for her to do.
Posted by: Anonymous Visitor | May 23, 2008 at 06:45 AM
MMM:As a woman who is increasing her exercise level and challenging myself and everyone around me, I am SO DAMN PROUD that the parson spoke his mind. ;)
Posted by: Anonymous Visitor | May 23, 2008 at 01:42 PM